NHL Predictions 10/8

Tonight is a real night for the avid NHL fan. A night which will feature 24 of the 30 NHL teams in action. Last night left a surprise or two (well, yea two) for me to scratch my head going into today's schedule. With that being said, let's get right into it.

------------------------------------------------------------

Pittsburgh at Philadelphia 7PM

The battle of Pennsylvania begins this evening from Philadelphia, and the WAC will be ROCKING. The Flyers are off to a hot 3-0 start, and although the Capitals exposed some weaknesses, this Penguins team does not have AS MUCH fire power as the Capitals do. As long as Pronger and company can keep the two headed monster to a minimum, the Flyers should come out on top this evening. A 4-0 start is not impossible, and it is not impossible for this team to beat the Penguins, especially with the new names in the line up. The Penguins will turn to Marc-Andre Fleury for tonights game, and it will be an all out war for sure.

Final - Flyers 3 Penguins 2

------------------------------------------------------------

New York Rangers at Washington 7PM

Can the Caps take down the Rangers as they did in the playoffs just a season ago? The Rangers have quite the team of new names, who are playing extremely well and finding chemistry very quickly but the Caps have an insane amount of that as well (chemistry). It might just be another explosive night from both clubs offensive units (and I would be surprised if it was anything but). If Lundqvist can break dance a bit between the pipes, the Rangers have the edge and should come out with the victory.

Final - Rangers 4 Caps 2

------------------------------------------------------------

Anaheim at Boston 7PM

The two teams who I predicted to be on top of their Conferences do battle this evening on the East Coast as Boston plays host to the Ducks. In an early season struggle between the pipes for Anaheim, could it spell trouble this evening heading into beantown? Boston finally showed that Phil Kessel's offensive production shouldn't be missed that much, and they need to do the same this evening against the Ducks. In what I feel is going to be a great game and a fun match up, I still think the Bruins come out on top, but the Ducks gain a point as well.

Final - Bruins 3 Ducks 2 F/SO

------------------------------------------------------------

Phoenix at Buffalo 7PM

The start of the season surprise thus far is the Phoenix Coyotes. Slated to do battle with the Islanders for the worst team in the league, the 'Yotes are off to a hot start. Buffalo, on the other hand, has some issues that need to be worked on. The offense lacks outside of the top line, the blue line is full of a mixed group and gives a sense of it being "incomplete" and well, Ryan Miller has been the only good thing for this team so far. If Phoenix can bring out the same game they played last night, it is going to be a long night for slugs fans. Goalie duel?

Final - Coyotes 4 Sabres 3

------------------------------------------------------------

New York Islanders at Ottawa 7PM

Tavares will play his first game in front of a Canadian audience, Robbie Schremp get's his first look in an Islanders uniform, and Doug Weight will skate his first game with a new letter on his sweater as the Islanders travel north to do battle with the Senators. The Sens are hoping from a more productive evening from Alexei Kovalev and company. Pascal Leclaire looks to be a piece to the puzzle that has some pieces missing, but until the blue line is solidified, it will for sure be an up and down season for the Sens. A lot going on this evening from Ottawa, so it is definitely a must watch game.

Final - Sens 5 Islanders 4 F/SO

------------------------------------------------------------

New Jersey at Tampa Bay 7PM

The Bolts home opener against a team who could be on a slide, which might make many fans around the NHL very happy. In what I can see to be a game that will put most people to sleep, so unless you are a fan of either club, or you are sick, stay away from this one tonight.

Final - Bolts 3 Devils 1

------------------------------------------------------------

Chicago at Detroit 8PM

Are the Wings happy to be home with an 0-2 start to the season? HELL NO. Will they attempt to take that out on the Blackhawks tonight? HELL YES. With Coach Q giving the nod to Huet, even after a rocky start and a superb performance by Antti Niemi, you have to go with the man you pay to be the #1 until proven wrong. The Wings are the Wings and can never be taken lightly. I think they will show that this evening, that the European trip is behind them and they are ready to play Wings hockey.

Final - Wings 4 Blackhawks 2

------------------------------------------------------------

Atlanta at St. Louis

How happy Blues fans will be tonight when they finally get to see their team at home, coming off a 2-0 start from overseas. The Thrashers have a lot to prove this season, especially if they want to keep star sniper Ilya Kovalchuk. The Blues have a great offense, a solid defense, and a goaltender who proved that he is a pure #1 in the NHL. Atlanta has a young team determined to make a climb from last season. It should be a fun game tonight.

Final - Blues 4 Thrashers 2

------------------------------------------------------------

Colorado at Nashville

Who expected the Avs to be 2-0? Not I! Tonight the Avs travel to Nashville to take on the Preds, who have been hit by the injury bug. The Avs fans are hoping the 2-0 start to the season is a sign of things to come, but most feel it will not last. I might be one to feel differently about that, but only time will tell. Nashville has an amazing blue line and a nice goalie tandem but need to find offensive production from secondary sources in order to stay alive in the West this year.

Final - Avs 3 Preds 1

------------------------------------------------------------

Calgary at Edmonton

Battle of Alberta Round 2. That should be enough of a breakdown for tonight's game as needed. These two teams meet for the second time this season in just under a week, and both are out to prove a lot. It is 100% Kipper vs Khabibulin tonight. I know all of Alberta will be tuned in, with a lot of broken remote controls by the end of tonight's contest.

Final - Flames 4 Oilers 3

------------------------------------------------------------

Minnesota at Los Angeles

Will Sean O'Donnell be the spark plug the Kings need to finally stabilize the team? Kings fans hope so. With a different look on the blue line tonight, and with hopes of a full sixty minutes of play, the Kings could rebound hardcore this evening against a Wild team that lacks in all departments except between the pipes. Havlat needs to stay healthy all season and carry this team on his shoulders offensively and Backstrom needs to stay healthy as well. There are a lot of question marks for the Wild, but just the same for LA.

Final - Kings 4 Wild 2

------------------------------------------------------------

Columbus at San Jose

Steve Mason will have a huge test this evening as the one line San Jose Sharks play host to the Columbus Blue Jackets. A few line changes come into play tonight for the Blue Jackets, and the Sharks seem to be prepared to ice the same line up they have since Pavelski was injured. In order for the Sharks to come out on top tonight, players like Ryan Clowe, Patrick Marleau, Rob Blake and Dan Boyle seriously need to step up their game. For the BJ's, it's all about the kids tonight. Vermette slots into the 1st line center position where Brassard was, and Brassard goes to the second line between Voracek and Filatov. This, for sure, has the dynamics to be one hell of a game this evening. I think the BJs get the upper hand in this one.